No signs of bird flu in Thailand

BANGKOK, October 4 (TNA) - Thailand's Department of Livestock Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has assured the public that there has been no re-emergence of bird flu in Thailand. The department's director-general, Dr. Tritsadee Chaosuancharoen, told reporters on Friday that his department has, however, remained on high alert to prevent any renewed bird flu outbreak nationwide, covering the prevention of any avian flu spreading across the border from neighbouring countries. Dr. Tritsadee acknowledged that there is the possibility of bird flu spreading into Thailand from neighbouring countries. According to the director-general, concerned parties, including animal quarantine stations in all border areas, as well as police, soldiers and customs officials, have, therefore, been instructed to keep a close watch on movements across borderlines of people and traders with live poultry or carcasses. The senior official said he has also ordered germ-killing spraying on cars, motorcycles or carts carrying goods coming in and going out the country, with those found violating Thai laws to be immediately arrested for prosecution and carcasses suspected to be infected with avian flu to be totally destroyed. The senior official reported that ramdom laboratory bird flu tests found negative results in a total of 35,003 cases of domesticated chickens and birds, as well as open-field ducks. However, Thailand's Department of Livestock Development has kept on educating people about bird flu and preventive measures, in parallel with launching campaigns to encourage the public, including those living along the border, to use sanitizer sprays as a precaution. (TNA)